The fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria – so-called “superbugs” – is a huge challenge, one that the World Health Organization has described as a grave global problem. When superbugs hit the headlines…

Concrete sewers such as this are suffering corrosion partly because of the chemical used to remove particles that cause cloudiness from drinking water.
Oliver SvedAugust 14, 2014

Australian sewers are being corroded partly because of an additive used in the drinking water treatment process. In some cases the lifetime of concrete pipes is being reduced by up to 90%. But much of…

The amount of water at the Earth’s surface is pretty constant, but in many parts of the developed world we are running out of the right sort of water, and our ability to access it. The severe water shortages…

Increased coastal population growth and rising water levels could lead to damaged sewerage systems and water contamination.
Flickr/autowitchMay 24, 2013

Sea levels are rising and the world’s vast coastal settlements face many damaging changes. One of the most difficult and expensive challenges is the risk to the safe and effective operation of our sewerage…

Medicine residues that we flush down the toilet can affect fish and other wildlife.
Chris Ison/PAMay 15, 2013

It’s not a thought that occurs to most of us, but flushing the toilet doesn’t just mean disposing of our bodily waste. We’re also flushing away some of the medicine we take down with it. Our contraceptive…